A Guide To The Belmont Stakes

ELMONT, NY - JUNE 07: Fans watch a race prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)ELMONT, NY - JUNE 07: Fans watch a race prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

ELMONT, NY – JUNE 07: Fans watch a race prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

And they’re off! The Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 11 and CBS New York is giving you a head start. Follow this guide for information on how to get there, how to get tickets, who to bet on, what to wear and more.

The Race To The Belmont Stakes

(credit: Flickr/Wally Gobetz)

Getting to Belmont Park might seem like the biggest race of the day, but don’t worry, our money is on you. Follow these directions to get to the Park and remember to get there as early as possible to beat the rush and get the most out of the experience.

Driving Directions

From Manhattan: Take the Queens Midtown Tunnel to the Long Island Expressway; go east to the Cross Island Parkway and exit South to Exit 26-D.From Brooklyn: Take the Belt Parkway east to the Cross Island Parkway and exit North to Exit 26-D.From Queens: Take the Grand Central Parkway east to the Cross Island Parkway; exit South to Exit 26-D.

Parking Areas

For ease of entry and exiting of Belmont Park, guests are encouraged to park in a lot based on their planned arrival route.

Please note all routes are subject to change based on traffic conditions.

Long Island Railroad

Fans watch a race prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

On Belmont Stakes Day the LIRR will provide extended service to and from Belmont Park.

Belmont Park is only a half-hour from Midtown Manhattan by train. Package tickets for Belmont Park can be purchased at LIRR Stations and Ticket Machines in advance or on the day of travel. Ticket packages will very by price depending on what zone your are traveling from.

NOTE: Alcohol will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations and platforms on Belmont Stakes Day. At the park, bags and coolers are restricted to certain designated zones and will be subject to search.

By Subway

F Train : Take the F train to 169th Street or 179th Street and take the N6 or Q2 bus to Belmont. E Train : Take the E train to Jamaica Center (Parsons Blvd) and then take the Q110 bus to Belmont.

Tickets

(credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

General Admission Tickets

General Admission tickets begin at $15 through May 20, $20 from May 21 to June 10 and $25 on race day while still available. While these tickets don’t include trackside seating, there will be limited picnic tables and benches available on a first come, first-served basis.

Reserved Seating And Special Packages

Gold Clubhouse (Starting at $899 per person) — Includes amenities and access to the Belmont Stakes Diamond Room, as well as premium open bar and access to the 3rd Floor Clubhouse and a bird’s eye view of the finish line.

Silver Clubhouse (Starting at $749 per person) — Includes amenities and access to the Belmont Stakes Diamond Room, premium open bar, entertainment and access to the 2nd Floor Clubhouse.

Bronze Clubhouse (Starting at $949 per person) –Includes amenities and access to the Belmont Stakes Diamond Room, premium open bar, entertainment and access to the 4nd Floor Clubhouse.

Champagne Room (Starting at $1,199 per person) — Includes tickets to the first floor Champagne room, VIP fast access passes and a personal trip director. Appropriate attire is required.

Reserved seating tickets are available now on TicketMaster. With this option, ticket holders have the flexibility to explore the grounds, and enjoy the race from the comfort of their own seat. Click here to purchase tickets.

Dining Packages

While the Belmont Stake does offer a variety of dining packages for large groups, they are typically all sold out ahead of the big day. But there are still plenty of other dining options at Belmont Park, including concessions throughout the grounds, the Heritage Club Food Court located on the third floor of the Clubhouse and Grandstand, and a Food Truck Festival.

How to dress

Race fans look on during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Elegant attire is a tradition at the Belmont Stakes; there are certain parts of the park that don’t allow shorts or short-sleeved shirts and require men to wear a collared shirt. In addition to the dress code, women are often encouraged to wear a hat—not only for tradition and fashion, but also for protection from the summer sun.

Favorites to Win

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist won’t run in the final leg of the Triple Crown after developing a fever and having an elevated white blood cell count, a sign of a possible infection.

Any thoughts of a second straight Triple Crown were wiped in the Preakness when Exaggerator finally defeated Nyquist after four previous losses.

A rematch in the Belmont on June 11 would have been the next best thing to a Triple Crown attempt. Last year, American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

Without Nyquist, the 1½-mile Belmont loses some of its luster, but Exaggerator can expect to take on a number of rivals from the Derby and Preakness. Among them are Preakness runner-up Cherry Wine and fifth-place finisher Lani, Suddenbreakingnews (fifth in the Derby), Destin (sixth, Derby) and Brody’s Cause (seventh, Derby). Governor Malibu, runner-up in the Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14, also is Belmont bound.

Belmont Park Dos and Don’ts

DO

Get to the Park early — lines are going to be long.

Bring food items in a clear, see-through plastic container or bag.

Review the glossary of racing terminology, available here on the Belmont Stakes website.